Not long ago, Indian-Americans were known as a “model minority” in the U.S. They were seen as smart, talented, and hardworking. With successful people like Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella leading big tech companies, they gained much respect and visibility. However, things changed when people supporting Donald Trump started attacking Indian tech workers. This all started after Sriram Krishnan was named a senior advisor on Artificial Intelligence at the White House.
Many folks on social media became upset about Indian-Americans, blaming them for taking jobs from American workers due to work visas. Laura Loomer, a controversial figure, stirred up these feelings with a post saying it was disturbing to see Krishnan’s appointment and called him part of the ‘leftist’ agenda, against ‘America First.’ What started as criticism of tech billionaires quickly turned into racist comments against Indian-Americans, who were once celebrated but are now wrongly blamed as job stealers.
Despite some misuse of H-1B visas in the past to hire cheaper workers, this isn’t why Indian-Americans have prospered. Their success comes from hard work and talent. A recent report by BCG and Indiaspora shows that there are about 5.1 million Indian-Americans, and their average income is around $136,000, which is almost double the national average. They only make up 1.5% of the U.S. population but contribute 5-6% of the total taxes.
Indian-Americans are successful in many fields, not just tech. “One in ten doctors in America is Indian-American, serving about 30% of patients. About 60% of U.S. hotels are owned by them, which brings in $700 billion in revenue and creates over 400,000 jobs.” They also own a significant number of convenience stores, generating up to $490 billion yearly. With the growth of startups in India, many Indian-Americans have gone on to lead successful tech companies in Silicon Valley.
Many Indians have moved to the U.S. for tech jobs in recent years. Their education goes beyond just Math and Science; they learn to solve real-world problems and adapt to American culture. Because they often have degrees from top universities, many also move into management roles.
According to Harbir K. Bhatia, CEO of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce, Indian-Americans are vital to the tech industry. Nearly 40% of the CEOs or founders based in Silicon Valley are of Indian descent, leading major companies like Google and Microsoft. Bhatia attributes their success to a strong work ethic and dedication.
In the past five years, Indian-Americans have become major players in creating unicorns—startups valued at over a billion dollars. They have founded or co-founded 72 of the 358 unicorns in the U.S. since 2018, showing their significant impact on the entrepreneurial scene, with these companies worth over $195 billion.
These entrepreneurs are more than just tech experts; they are storytellers and risk-takers combining the hustle of Indian markets with the ambition of American businesses. Despite numbering only 1.5% of the U.S. population, they excel in areas like fintech and healthcare, changing the face of many industries. Around 78% hold at least a bachelor’s degree, which is much higher than the national average of 36%, showing their dedication to education.
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